Prime Minister George Papandreou will announce specific initiatives for Athens’ historical city centre in early March, it was decided on Friday following a lengthy meeting he chaired in Parliament.

Prime Minister George Papandreou will announce specific initiatives for Athens’ historical city centre in early March, it was decided on Friday following a lengthy meeting he chaired in Parliament.

According to reports, the meeting focused on the adoption of economic incentives to lure back residents to the specific area, while also touching on the problem of homeless and drug addicts congregating in certain districts and on the active participation of the City of Athens.

It was underlined that the number of work stamps necessary for the renewal of immigrant resident permits should be reduced, while the prime minister called for the intensification of relevant procedures and the drastic reduction of red tape to ensure that problems will be solved in a more effective manner.

Solution of the problem of illegal migrants that are long-time residents was characterised as urgent.